SCO Calls For Inclusive Government In Afghanistan

Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) announced that the organisation wants an inclusive government to be formed in Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of all political, ethnic and religious groups.

Zhang Ming told Russia's Izvestia newspaper that the formation of an inclusive government is in the interest of Afghanistan.

In the interview, which was published on Monday, October 28, Zhang Ming said, "The issue of Afghanistan is very important from the perspective of ensuring peace, stability and security in the region.

"We would like Afghanistan to become a country free of terrorism, war and drugs, and we hope that in the future, a government will be formed in Afghanistan with the broad participation of representatives of all political, ethnic and religious groups," he added.

According to him, these cases will be in the interest of Afghanistan, the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the entire international community.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which was formed in 2001 by Russia and China, consists of nine members, including Belarus, Iran, Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Afghanistan joined the SCO as an observer member on June 7, 2012, but the Taliban has not been invited to its meetings for the past three years.